Putin invites Ukraine's Zelenskyy to meet with him in Moscow

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he would be willing to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky should he visit Moscow.

Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, Putin said US President Donald Trump asked him to meet with Zelenskyy during their meeting last month in Alaska and that he conveyed to the American leader his readiness to do so.

"I have never refused this, provided the meeting is well-prepared and can lead to some positive potential outcomes," he said. "Donald asked me if I could possibly arrange such a meeting. I replied that yes, it's possible. Ultimately, if Zelensky is ready, let him come to Moscow – then the meeting will take place."

The US-Russian presidential meeting in Alaska in August marked the first in more than four years. It lasted about three hours, after which both leaders issued statements to the press, expressing "good results" and emphasizing the need to continue efforts.